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No matter what you’ve been through or what questions you might have, St. Bernard Parish is a place where you’ll find the grace, mercy, and forgiveness Jesus gives to everyone. Come and be part of our family!

“Knowing Jesus is the best gift that anyone can ever receive. That we have encountered Him is the best thing that has happened in our lives. And making Him known by our deeds and words is our greatest joy.” – Pope Francis

We are here to offer every person in our community an opportunity to encounter Jesus so that we can continue to grow as His disciples offering credible witness to the difference He has made in our lives.

“Catholics believe that the Sacraments are like ladders that God gave to Himself by which He climbs down to us.

The Catholic view of the Sacraments is that they are the means of salvation; that God really forgives your sins when the priest pronounces absolution in Christ’s name and in His authority; that God really regenerates your soul and removes Original Sin when you are baptized; that Christ really unites Himself to your soul in a spiritual marriage when you receive Holy Communion.

Catholics believe that the Sacraments are how we cross over 2,000 years and become ‘contemporary with Christ,’ or rather how Christ crosses over and becomes contemporary with us. The answer is that we meet not just spiritually and subjectively, in our minds; we meet materially and objectively in and through the matter the Sacraments.

The Sacraments are not ‘magical’ because they are not automatic. We can block the grace, and we usually do, more or less, like stopping down a faucet, or pulling down the window blinds. But the water, or the light, comes from God, not from us. Christ really comes to meet us and sanctify us in the Sacraments, however little we may appreciate Him” (Peter Kreeft, Jesus Shock, pp. 115-116).

Mass Times

Reconciliation Times

“Hope is a path taken with others. An African proverb says: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with others”. Isolation and aloofness never generate hope; but closeness to others and encounter do. Left to ourselves, we will go nowhere.”

“…it is vital to see different ways of thinking not in terms of risk, but of richness and growth. The world needs this culture of encounter. It needs young people who seek to know and love one another, to journey together in building a country like that which José Martí dreamed of: “With all, and for the good of all”

“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Song, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

We believe that we all have the responsibility for promoting the teaching mission of the Church to people of all ages. We are called to be disciples. We believe personal formation in the Faith is accessible to everyone. We have several programs that strive to meet you at every stage of your journey to more understanding of Christ and His Church.

Children & Youth

Adult

Each week at St. Bernard parish, dozens of people just like you give their time to serve. Whether it’s helping kids learn about Jesus on their level, brewing the coffee for Sunday morning socials or pitching in behind the scenes, every volunteer is making a difference!

We know you’re busy, and a million things are competing for your time. But we also know you’ll meet new friends and grow in your relationship with Jesus. Give it a try!

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied Grace” (1Pt 4:10)

Stewardship Opportunities

Financial stewardship is easier than ever with our online giving options, WeShare and Direct Deposit. Get the convenience and flexibility to make donations at any time, from any location, while benefiting the church because of your faithfulness.

WeShare

Secure, fast and easy-to-use! It works just like paying an online bill. You can make one-time or recurring donations using your debit card, credit card, checking or savings account. You can choose different amounts, timing and methods of payment for different collections including your regular Weekly/Monthly Offering of Parish Support, Faith Formation Tuition, Youth Mission Trips, Special Collections, Parish Events and More!

There’s NO cost to you to participate in the WeShare online giving program.

OR

Direct Deposit

Electronically transfer your regular parish support payment from checking or savings. Just complete the Direct Deposit Authorization Form and return it to the St. Bernard church office, along with a voided check. We will set-up and initiate the monthly transfer…there is nothing more that you need to do!

Becoming Catholic – RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults become Catholic. Candidates will go through four phases of initiation.

Phase 1: Inquiry is ongoing. People may begin with Inquiry at any time throughout the year. This period provides participants with the opportunity to ask their own questions about “Why do Catholics do that?”. Also, during this time Inquirers become familiar with the Good News of the Gospel and Jesus’ gift of Salvation.

Phase 2: Catechumenate When those in Inquiry reach a decision to move forward in the process, they enter the Catechumenate. During this period the participants meet weekly for Sunday Liturgy and after the Gospel & homily, are called forward by the presider and invited to unpack the message of the readings for their daily life. A Catechist then meets with the group to reflect on the Readings until Mass is ended. During this time the participants meet weekly on Wed. evening 7-8:30p.m. to learn to live the life of a Christian.

Phase 3: Purification & Enlightenment Purification & Enlightenment is the final stage of preparation for the sacraments of Initiation. This period coincides with the season of Lent, and provides the participants an opportunity to reflect on their life; How God has brought them healing and peace and also what in their life still needs the healing light of Christ. The Sacraments of Initiation are usually celebrated on Holy Saturday the evening before Easter.

Phase 4: Mystagogy is the period following the celebration of the Easter Sacraments until Pentecost (7 weeks after Easter). During this time participants reflect on the meaning of the Easter Sacraments, how God has radically changed them and how they can live out the changes on a daily basis. Mystagogy also prepares new members of the Church to continue living as a disciples of Christ.

RCIA is open to individuals who are…

An unbaptized person of age 17 and up

Any already baptized person age 16 and up who has been baptized into another Christian faith

Any already baptized Catholic who is needing to make First Holy Communion or Confirmation